Skype and salesforce.com have announced the availability of a new version of Skype for Salesforce via salesforce.com’s AppExchange. Skype for Salesforce provides seamless Skype integration into Salesforce on-demand CRM applications and aims to improve workforce productivity and to streamline customer and partner communication.

According to Scott Miller, director, Business Development, Skype, “We now offer the tools to integrate Skype communication with the salesforce.com experience via the AppExchange. Besides saving money on telephone bills, this will also enable salesforce.com customers in the small and mid-sized business sector to build stronger relationships and improve the way they manage their contact with colleagues, customers and prospects.”

Skype for Salesforce enables salesforce.com customers to make and receive Skype calls or initiate text chats directly with other people whose Skype contact names and presence indicators can now be added manually or imported automatically into Salesforce. SkypeOut calls to non-Skype users" traditional phone numbers can also be initiated with a single click. Conference calls of up to 10 participants (including the host) can now be conducted using Skype for Salesforce and can accommodate any combination of Skype and non-Skype users.

Skype for Salesforce also integrates with salesforce.com"s computer telephony (CTI) adapter to enable click-to-call for phone numbers of those customers or business partners listed within Salesforce SFA or Salesforce Service & Support applications.